Clamp



Jan. 19, 1943. H. R; MILLER 2,308,996-

CLAMP Filed July 2, 1941 'II HHH Inventor A a) zqk/mzpfi M1101? WWW Patented Jan. 19, 1943 NITED STATES EATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in clamps for use particularly in conjunction with miter gauges for securely holding in position the stock to be cut, although it will be understood that the device may be used for any other purpose and in any other manner for which it may be found adapted and desirable.

The primary object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a clamp of the aforementioned character comprising a novel construction and arrangement of cam or eccentric operated plunger whereby the work may be quickly secured and released with a minimum of effort.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a quick action clamp of the character described which is adapted to be expeditiously adjusted for stock of different thicknesses.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a, clamp of the character set forth which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efiicient and reliable in use, compact and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure l is a view in side elevation, showing a pair of clamps constructed in accordance with the present invention in use on a miter gauge.

Figure 2 is an elevational View of the clamp.

Figure 3 is a view in vertical section through the clamp, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the clamp.

Figure 6 is a view in side elevation, showing a modified cam lever.

Figure 7 is a View in vertical section through another modification.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, reference numeral l designates generally a miter gauge which may be substantially similar to that shown in U. S. Patent No. 1,894,010. The gauge 1 is pivotally mounted for adjustment on a bar 2. The bar 2 is adapted to be mounted in a longitudinal groove provided therefor in a saw table 3. Rising from the miter gauge I and the bar 2 is a, pair of posts 4. Mounted on the upper end portions of the posts 4 is a pair of spaced, parallel bars 5.

Mounted on the bars 5 are clamps which are designated generally by reference numeral 6. As many of the clamps 6 as desired may be provided. The clamps 6 are adapted to firmly secure a piece of work 1 in position on the saw table 3 against the miter gauge l.

Each clamp 6 includes a block 8 which is slidable on the bars 5. Threadedly mounted for vertical adjustment in the block 8 is a tubular guide 9. The bore ID of the guide 9 includes an enlarged or counterbored upper portion I l. The upper end portion of the guide 9 has formed therein a vertical slot l2 providing bifurcations l3.

Slidable in the bore I9 of the guide 9 is a plunger I4. At its upper end, the plunger Hi terminates in a rounded head 15 which is operable in the counterbore ll of the guide 9. A

coil spring l6 encircles the plunger I I in the counterbore II and has its lower end engaged with the shoulder provided by said counterbore and its upper end engaged beneath the head for raising said plunger to inoperative position. Swivelly mounted on the lower end portion of the plunger 14 is a clamping foot or jaw 11.

The upper end portions of the bifurcations I3 have formed therein aligned openings for the reception of a pin 19. Mounted on the pin IQ for swinging movement between the bifurcations l3 and operatively engaged with the head l5 of the plunger I4 is a cam 20. The cam 20 is integral with one end of a hand lever 2|. The cam 20 is formed to provide shoulders 22 constituting stops which are engageable with the head iii of the plunger I4.

It is thought that the operation of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the plunger M, with the foot or jaw ll thereon, is normally held in raised or inoperative position by the coil spring H6. The work, as at 1, is positioned on the saw table 3 and the cam lever 2| is swung downwardly in a manner to engage the clamping foot or jaw ll with said work. The guide 9 is then screwed downwardly in the block 8 for firmly securing the work in position. Then, to release the work it is only necessary to swing the cam lever 2| upwardly thereby removing'the pressure from said work. The coil spring 16 causes the plunger M to follow the cam 20. The next piece of work may now be inserted and the foregoing operation is repeated. It will thus be seen that but one adjustment of the device is necessary for stock of a given size or thickness.

In the modification illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawing, reference numeral 23 designates a cam in the form of a curved arm of suitable metal which is rigidly secured on the pivoted end portion of a hand lever 24. The cam 23 terminates in an angularly extending free end portion constituting a stop 25 which is engageable with the plunger. A stop 31 limits the movement of the cam 23 in the opposite direction.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 7 of the drawing, reference character 26 designates a tubular guide having therein a bore 2! which is of uniform diameter. The upper end portion of the guide 26 is vertically slotted as at 28 to provide bifurcations 29 between which a pin 30 extends. Operable in the bore 21 is a plunger 31 which extends upwardly between the bifurcations 29 and which is provided, in its upper end portion, with an opening 32 having flared end portions. Pivotally mounted between the bifurcations 29 on the pin 30 is a lever 33. On the pivoted end of the lever 33 is a cam 34 in the form of a curved arm which is engaged in the opening 32 of the plunger 3!. The cam 34 terminates in an angularly projecting end portion constituting a stop 35. Also formed on the cam 34 is a stop 36. Of course, the cam 34 is operable in the slot 28 between the bifurcations 29. In this form of the invention th cam 34 is connected to the plunger 31 in such a manner as to raise as well as lower said plunger. The stops 35 and 36 limit the movement of the cam 34 in opposite directions.

It is believed that the many advantages of a clamp constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although preferred embodiments of the device are as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that further modifications and changes in the details of construction may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

A clamp of the class described comprising a block, a tubular guide threadedly mounted for vertical adjustment in said block, said tubular guide having a counterbored upper portion, bifurcations on the upper end of the guide, a plunger slidable in the guide, a head on the upper end of the plunger operable in the counterbored portion of the guide, a work engaging foot swivelly mounted on the lower end of the plunger, a cam lever pivotally mounted between the bifurcations and operatively engaged with the head for engaging the foot with a piece of work, and a coil spring mounted in the counterbored portion of the guide and engaged beneath the head for elevating the plunger.

HAROLD R. MILLER. 

